For information:
Erica Erland, Clark Public Utilities
360-992-3238, [email protected]
CLARK PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD ADOPTS 2017 BUDGET FOR ELECTRIC, GENERATING AND WATER SYSTEMS
– Rates for electric and water service remain unchanged, no increases required. –
VANCOUVER, WA – December 13, 2016 – The Clark Public Utilities commission voted today to approve annual budgets for the electric, generating and water systems. Electric and water rate increases are not currently required to fund the approved budgets.
The combined operating budget for the electric and generating systems for 2017 is $371.1 million, compared to $368.2 million in 2016. Power supply remains the large majority of the budget at 67.7 percent ($251.3 million) and the Operating and Maintenance budget is 14.2 percent at $52.6 million. The remainder is comprised of taxes, debt service, rate funded capital and conservation funding.
Commissioners also approved $17.3 million for the 2017 water system budget, compared to $15.7 in 2016.
“The budget process is always a balance between keeping costs down and continuing to invest in reliability through system improvements and infrastructure,” said Nancy Barnes, Clark Public Utilities commission president. “For the last several years we’ve been able to strike that balance without an increase in rates due in large part to the staff’s careful management of costs.”
Capital budgets for both the electric and water systems allocate funds for system maintenance and improvements. For the electric and generating systems, projects planned for the combined $42.6 million capital investment include ongoing treatment and replacement of aging underground cable; substation, transmission and distribution line construction and upgrades; and scheduled plant maintenance. The $10.2 million capital budget for the water system allocates funds for main extensions and upgrades with the remainder slated for reservoir and well construction.
About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility that provides electric service to more than 195,000 customers throughout Clark County. The utility also provides water service to about 34,000 homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Lakeshore, Hockinson, Brush Prairie, La Center, Meadow Glade, Amboy and Yacolt areas.
Clark Public Utilities has been ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the west by J.D. Power nine years in a row. More information at 360-992-3000 or www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
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